Hyundai recalls Santa Fe Sport crossovers due to risk of short circuit, fire

Hyundai Motor America is recalling 44,396 crossovers and is recommending owners park their vehicle outside after discovering a defect that could cause an electrical short and subsequent fire.

NHTSA said the recall affects the 2018 Santa Fe Sport models produced between May 1, 2017, through May 10, 2018, at the Kia Georgia plant in West Point, Ga.

The anti-lock braking system, or ABS, module in these vehicles could cause an electrical short, leading to an engine compartment fire, said the NHTSA report.

Hyundai is urging owners to park their Santa Fe Sport outside and away from structures. Warning signs of an engine fire include smoking coming from the compartment, a burning or melting odor and the illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp or ABS light.

This new action is an addition to a 500,000-vehicle recall earlier this year affecting a variety of the 2016-19 Santa Fe models, as well as the 2014-15 Tucson, the 2016-18 Kia K900 and the 2014-16 Sportage models.

There have been no confirmed crashes or injuries related to the defect, Hyundai said in a statement.

The remedy plan will be the replacement of the ABS multifuse with a revised one, said the automaker. Dealers and owners will be notified Dec. 26.